The Story: The Green Wheelbarrow
“You don’t stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing.” — George Bernard Shaw
I saw it from a mile away: that flash of green in the sun, and I knew I had to find out more. It was one of the first pieces I ever brought home when Restoried Gardens was still just a whisper of an idea. I remember that bright Oklahoma morning, how clumsy I must have looked pushing the thing back to my car, but I couldn’t stop smiling. I wasn’t just hauling a wheelbarrow; I was carrying a new dream.
When I was little, my grandpa used to let me turn his wheelbarrow on its side and pitch softballs into it. I’d miss more often than not and hit the shed behind it, leaving a few dents to prove it. Sometimes he’d stop what he was doing and offer to catch for me. He was a coach once, and maybe being near the game made him feel young again. I can still see Grandpa Jesse, Pappy, my children would eventually nickname him, in his white tank, glove in hand, pretending not to wince as I threw one wild pitch after another. He did that because he loved me.
My grandparents were like that: playful, brave, full of life. They showed me that adventure isn’t about youth or travel; it’s about how you see the world. They taught me that imagination is an act of faith.
So when I found this green wheelbarrow, something inside me recognized it. The way I once saw endless possibilities in my grandpa’s yard, I saw them again in that patch of sunlight. And that’s what I hope for you too, that this old barrow, with its dents and paint worn thin, reminds you that life still holds room for wonder.
Care Guide
Light: Full to part sun, 4–6 hours daily.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy; water deeply when dry.
Environment: Outdoors with good airflow.
Freeze Protection:
When winter arrives and the nights grow cold, remember that container gardens aren’t rooted into the steady warmth of the earth — they rely on us for protection. When temperatures drop below 32°F, bring this piece to a sheltered porch or garage. Below 28°F, move it fully indoors near a bright window. Water lightly before a hard freeze; moist soil holds heat better than dry. Protecting it is more than maintenance — it’s an act of care, a reminder that living things thrive when tended.Encouragement: Adventure is a way of seeing. Keep your heart open to new beginnings.
I prayed over this vessel and for you, the one holding it now. May it remind you that wonder has no age limit, and that joy — even the smallest kind — can lift the heaviest days.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8 : 10
With you in the soil and the story,
Ellie
A Living Story Disclaimer
Each Restoried Garden begins its journey in my hands but continues its story with you. Every vessel has been cleaned, prepared, and planted with care; however, once it leaves my garden, its life depends on your unique environment and tending. Please note that weather, watering, and placement all influence longevity, and I cannot be responsible for plant performance or wear over time. These pieces are meant to live, grow, and change, a reflection that no story truly ends; it simply takes root somewhere new.
